Hawaii

A territory of the United States. It consists of a group of islands In the Pacific Ocean about one thousand five hundred miles from the western coast of California. A republic was proclaimed and a new constitution promulgated July 4, 1894, succeeding a provisional government formed in January, 1893. By this constitution the president of the republic was empowered to “make a treaty of political or commercial union with the United States.” A treaty of annexation was concluded at Washington, June 16, 1897. Congress, by Joint resolution approved July 7, 1898, accepted the cession of Hawaii and incorporated it with the Union. “An act to provide a government for the territory of Hawaii” was passed April 30, 1900, and went into effect June 14, 1900. It provided that the laws of Hawaii, not inconsistent with the constitution and laws of the United States, or the provisions of the act, should remain in force, subject to repeal or amendment. The territory forms a part of the ninth federal circuit. It is a federal district with two district Judges. The territorial courts are a supreme court with three Judges, circuit courts In five judicial districts, and district courts. As to the laws governing Hawaii, it is enough to refer to the organic act of April 30, 1900, to ascertain the body of private rights governing that territory; Kawananakoa V. Polyblank, 205 U. S. 354, 27 Sup. Ct. 526, 51 L. Ed. 834. HAWBERK or HAWBERT. A shirt of mail. Moz. & W. See Fief d’Haubebk.